By Sheldon Amos Translated by the Naval Academy Published in 1879 "Principles of International Law" is an explanatory book on international law that was reprinted and translated into Japanese during the late Edo and Meiji periods. It was embraced by the shishi (men of high purpose) of the late Edo period who were engaged in diplomatic negotiations with Western powers. Ryoma Sakamoto, Kaishu Katsu, and Shungaku Matsudaira were also among its avid readers.